Arts Revive of Selma, Alabama, observed the anniversary of the devastating tornado that hit the city on Jan. 12, 2023, by organizing a moving and encouraging event on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024. The community gathered to remember the impact of the tornado and to celebrate resilience, unity and preparedness. At the heart of this occasion, Arts Revive unveiled a mosaic crafted from the debris of the destructive tornado – a collaborative effort symbolizing the community's strength and recovery. It serves as a testament to Selma’s collective ability to stand united in the face of adversity.
The event also featured an Emergency Preparedness Fair, a joint effort by the National Weather Service and various partners. Attendees explored booths offering information on a wide range of emergency preparedness topics. With first aid and chainsaw safety demonstrations, tips on understanding maps (led by popular local meteorologist James Spann), weather radio giveaways and so much more, the fair aimed to equip residents with the knowledge and tools to better prepare them for unforeseen emergencies.
The Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium and VORTEX-SE had the pleasure of contributing to this comprehensive and engaging experience by manning some of the learning stations. Tracie Sempier and I presented affordable emergency kit essentials and options for storing them.
VORTEX-SE’s Social Science Coordinator Justin Sharpe discussed different methods of receiving emergency alerts and encouraged attendees to tell their severe weather story through his Tornado Tales survey, which assesses whether residents of the Southeast are receiving alerts and sheltering.
FEMA, American Red Cross, Dallas County Emergency Management Agency, Vaughan Regional Medical Center and many other volunteer organizations also shared expertise and insights to help attendees better understand the importance of preparedness in safeguarding lives and property.
“The more information we can get in the hands of people, whether it’s cell phone apps, weather radio information, safety information … the more lives we can save, and that’s the important part,” said Chris Darden, meteorologist-in-charge of the National Weather Service Birmingham Office.
Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-Ala.) also attended the event and addressed the crowd. In her speech, she commended the community's strength and resilience, emphasizing the importance of local, state, and federal alliances for disaster preparedness and recovery efforts.
“We have to acknowledge our resilience and our strength, but we must also acknowledge the very hard work that goes into making sure that we get the resources we need to build back better,” Sewell said.
This tornado anniversary event served as an example of the city's ability to come together, rebuild and look forward to a more resilient future. Through art, education and community engagement, Selma continues to demonstrate that unity and preparedness are key elements in overcoming the aftermath of natural disasters. This event was a great way to get vital information to more than 300 attendees. Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant and VORTEX-SE look forward to partnering with the National Weather Service again to bring the Emergency Preparedness Fair to many more cities throughout the Southeast.
Meet the author
Kristiana Allen
Risk Communication and Learning Specialist
Kristiana Allen is a risk communication and learning specialist with the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium’s Education and Engagement Team. She also is a member of the NOAA National Severe... Read more
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